Forensic tools may be the only way to determine for sure if spyware is on a computer. Law enforcement or a computer forensics expert may be able to assist you if you want to preserve evidence needed for a criminal investigation or civil legal action. If you need an advocate, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Before removing the spyware, think through your safety as you consider ways to protect yourself, and talk with an advocate about safety planning. Since many abusers use spyware as a way to monitor and control survivors, they may escalate their harassing and abusive behavior if they suspect that the survivor is removing the spyware and cutting off their access. Before acting to find or remove spyware, it is important to consider safety and the possibility of collecting evidence. On laptops, a hardware device may not be as noticeable since it would be installed inside the laptop, through the access panel. If a hardware device has been installed, you might see an additional component between the computer and the keyboard cord, or you might suddenly have a new keyboard or mouse. If the abusive person knows too much about your computer activity or knows things that you’ve only done on your computer or phone, it’s possible that spyware may be on your device. Trust your instincts and look for patterns. Even without these things happening, however, you might suspect that your activity is being monitored because of the abuser’s suspicious behavior. In most cases, a computer with spyware installed will not have noticeable changes in the way it operates (i.e., your computer won't necessarily slow down or freeze up). How Do I Find Out if Spyware Is on My Computer?ĭetecting spyware on your computer can be very difficult. Some hardware devices allow for remote spying while others require the abuser to have access to the hardware to access information on the computer activity.
Once the keylogger is plugged into the computer, it records every key typed, which can include passwords, personal identification numbers (PIN), and websites visited. These keylogging devices may appear to be a normal computer part for example, it can be a special keyboard with keystroke logging capabilities or a small device that connects the keyboard to the computer. While most spyware is installed as software, there are also hardware-based spyware devices called keystroke loggers. Once installed, it runs in stealth mode without any notification or identifying activity and is difficult to detect or remove. Some spyware products can be sent through an instant message, computer game, or other ploys to entice you or your children to open the attachment or click on a link.
The spyware automatically installs when you click on the link or open the attachment.
Most computer spyware can be installed remotely, usually by sending an email or message with an attached file or link. The abusive person can view your computer activities or control your computer remotely, generally via a website dashboard or accompanying app. Some spyware can also allow the person who installed it to turn on the webcam or microphone, take screenshots, make the computer talk or make other noises, or shut down or restart the computer. Spyware can keep track of almost everything you do on your computer, including every keystroke typed, website visited, online chat or instant message sent or received, and documents opened. The term “stalkerware” is a more recent term that draws attention to the invasive, intrusive, and dangerous misuse of these tools. Spyware and stalkerware refer to tools - apps, software programs, and devices - that let an unauthorized person (such as an abuser) secretly monitor and record information about your computer.